Why Refer to ACN
Specialized Early Childhood Diagnostics
ACN is dedicated to providing expert care for our families. Our physician, clinicians, and educators have 228 years of combined experience in supporting autistic and/or developmentally different children and families. They provide interdisciplinary and comprehensive play-based evaluations for children ages 0-5. Families who come to ACN receive same-day results and personalized recommendations that are tailored to the specific needs of the entire family.
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Neurodiversity-Affirming & Trauma-Informed Care
ACN is guided by our Experts by Experience Board, a growing group of autistic adults who assure that our practices are in alignment with neurodiversity-affirming care and are responsive to the expressed needs of the community we serve. We work hard to build environments and relationships that feel safe and that honor different kinds of minds. At ACN, we believe that every child has gifts to give and deserves to be understood strengths-based lens.
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Family-Centered Care
At ACN, we believe that parents are the experts in their children. Families are involved every step of the way. We tailor our diagnostic and therapeutic experiences to the specific needs and motivations of each child and family. Our innovative and evidence-based therapies are parent-mediated, which means they empower families! We invite families to join our “herd” through involvement in quality-of-life programs, including SibSHOPS, FAMJAMS, Caregiver Support Group, and Coffee and Connections. Families involved with ACN have a sense of COMMUNITY and a place to call HOME.
Mission-Driven, Outcome-Focused
As a nonprofit, at ACN our priority is clinical excellence and lasting impact- not profit. Our clinical, educational and quality of life programming is dedicated to creating long-term positive outcomes, or BIG Futures, for the children and families we serve. Our mission is to create a community that recognizes and celebrates the value of our neurodiverse community members and understands the role we can all play in creating an inclusive world.
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When to Make a Referral
This downloadable guide helps providers recognize early signs of autism in young children, including social communication differences, repetitive behaviors, and sensory preferences. It’s also designed to be shared with families—offering clear, compassionate language to support understanding and early action. Use it as a reference tool and a conversation starter for timely referrals to ACN.